MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Ventilation failure forces Light Rail shutdown between stations

Sep 22, 2025, 2:28 PM

A Link light rail train waits at a station in Seattle....

A Link light rail train waits at a station in Seattle. (Photo courtesy of Sound Transit)

(Photo courtesy of Sound Transit)

Link light rail service was briefly suspended early Monday morning after a malfunction was discovered in the emergency ventilation system between Westlake and the University District stations, according to KIRO 7.

The disruption began during overnight testing when ventilation fans at the University District Station broke down. Service was restored by 7:30 a.m.; however, safety protocols required it to remain closed. 

Ventilation failure halts trains

The delay followed a similar issue over the weekend, when ventilation problems between the University District and Capitol Hill stations forced another temporary shutdown. Crews made repairs later that evening.

Sound Transit said it is investigating to determine what originally caused the ventilation failures.

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Ventilation failure forces Light Rail shutdown between stations